Evaporating apparatus



Aw. w, mm.

.H. a. MELLOTT EVAPORATING APPARATUS Filed Sgpt. 1Q, 1917 Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

HUWARD 8. MELLOTT, OF MORENCI, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TOBY-PRODUCER RECOVERY COMPANY, OF TOLEDO,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

EVAPOBATING APPARATUS."

Application med September- 19, 1917. Serial No. 192,267.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD S. MnLLo'rr,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Morenci, in the county of Lenawee and State 6 of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Evaporating Apparatus, of which the following-is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an apparatus for evaporating and otherwise treating liquid materials, to change the consistency thereof, and while susceptible of a wide range of uses and adaptations is of especial advantage in w the treatment of milk or milk products for evaporation and similar purposes.

The invention has to deal with that type of apparatus wherein is formed upon a substantially cylindrical treating surface a film an or layer of the material to be treated, and wherein a circular and endwise movement of the material relative to thetreating surface is maintained without destroying the film formation of the material.

In the art to which the invention relates it has been proposed to provide a stationary cylindrical container and rotatable conveyor means within the container whereby to impart rotatable movement to the material in film or layer formation across and over the surface of the container, for instance as illustrated in my prior application Serial No. 22,510, filed April 19, 1915, and entitled Evaporating apparatus, and it has also been proposed to employ a rotatable cylindrical container adapted in the rotatable 'movement thereof to apply the material in layer formation to the interior surface of the container, whereby there is maintained an a relatively movable circular film or layer of the material as it moves from the inlet to the outlet end of the container.

The present invention has to deal more particularly with means for maintaining the at cylindrical treating surface free from adhering particles of the material to the end that the treating surface will always present a cleansed and polished condition, and whereby the material will not have imparted to thereto a disagreeable scorched or cooked flavor which is apt to result should certain particles of the material stick or adhere to the surface. The means herein contemplated for cleansing the treating surface is of a character adapted for use in connection with cylindrical treating surfaces of either the stationary or rotatable type, and while I have shown in the accompanying drawing one type of container, it is to be borne in mind that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be readily applied to container of other types and characters. a

In my prior application referred to, I have illustrated and described one form of cleansing means for the treating surface of the container, which has proven highly satisfactory, the cleansing means taking the form of brushes, but these brushes, of course, must at times be replaced because of the wear on the bristles, etc. and it is contemplated by the present invention to provide effective cleansing means of a durable character which may be readily inserted and removed as desired. In the present embodiment of the invention illustrated the cleansing means for the treating surface preferably takes the form of freely and bodily movable elements adapted in the movement of the film of material under'treatment, to contact with and move in various directions over the treating 80 surface, with the result that said surface will be free from adhering particles and will be maintained in a cleansed and polished condition, thereby furthering the transmission of heat from an exterior heating medium to the material under treatment.

More particularly the invention includes a substantially cylindrical container having external associated means for applying to the cylindrical surface of the container a temperature different from the material under treatment, means for subjecting the material to rapid circular movement while in film formation under centrifugal force and pressure, and a plurality of cleansing elements unattached and independent whereby the same are freely movable while in contact with the treating surface to cleanse the same without interfering with the relative move ment between the material and the treating 100 surface.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of the various parts will be appreciated from the description to follow which for a clear un-- derstanding of the invention, is to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and

wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section of an apparatus embodying the resent improvements.

F1 2 is a transverse section.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views,

(1) is a cylindrical container constituting the treating surface proper, said container being preferably mounted for rotatable movement and having surrounding the same, a relatively stationary cylindrical jacket or wall (2) of somewhat greater diameter than that of the container (1) whereby to form a space (3) for the reception of the temperature transmitting medium, which in the preferred embodiment of the invention takes the form of steam under high pressure, though in this connection other heat transmitting means may be employed.

(4) is a suitable conduit having a valve controlled inlet (5) for the steam from any suitable source, said conduit having a plurality of outlets (6) for discharging the steam into the jacket (3). The steam or water of condensation finds through the valve controlled conduit (7) leading from the base of the jacket. Suitable roller bearings (6) may be interpositioned between the jacket (2-) and the cylindrical wall of the container, and said container conveniently has unobstructed central openings (9) and (10) in the end walls thereof for the free escape of vapors and gases from the container.

The wall which surrounds the end opening (9) preferably has an outwardly projecting annular collar (11) Having mounted thereon a suitable pulley or the like (12) for' the reception of a belt or the like (13) shown broken away and adapted to be driven from any suitable source whereby to impart to the pulley and the cylindrical container a rotatable movement preferably at a very high rate of speed, say approximately 200 to 300 revolutions per minute on a threefoot cylinder.

The material to be treated is preferably introduced through the opening (9), and to this end a suitable inlet conduit or pipe (14) is provided, a valve control (15) being positioned on said conduit, and the inner end of said conduit projecting to a point 'whereby to' discharge to said periphery of the container as illus trated at (15).

' Conveniently the opposite end of the con-- tainer has a slight peripheral enlargement (16) forming a chamber for the reception of the treated material, a discharge conduit an outlet 1,4s1,sao

in communication with said chamber lea ing through the opening (9) to the outside to any convenient point .of discharge. This conduit (17 may also be provided with a controllin va V0 (18).

Positione within the container are a plurality of freely movable elements, conveniently taking the form of spherical balls of steel or the like (19) any convenient number bein em loyed. These elements, of course, are 0 a c aracter so as not to in any way injuriously affect the milk or other material under treatment, and the same being wholly disconnected, they are adapted in the rotatable movement of the cylinder to move in various directions, circumferentially and endwise, of the treating surface while in contact the'rewith,with the result that the treating surface will at all times remain in a cleansed and polished condition and free from any adherin particles of the material. Also these movab up and slightly agitate the particles or molecules of material, thereby furthering the heat transmission, and this without disturbing the film formation, and without interrupting the movement thereof.

The operation of the a paratus may be viewed as follows, steam being introduced into the space (3) through the medium of the conduit (4), say at approximately 300 degrees, there is imparted to the cylindrical wall or container (1) and in turn to the internal treating surface thereof, heat at a very high temperature, suflicient in fact to ordinarily injure the material were the same to remain for any considerable period in contact with said surface. The material being fed into one end of the container through the conduit (14), and said container through the medium of the belt or othei driving means (13) being rotated at a high speed, say approximately 200. to'500 revolutions per minute, in a 3 foot cylinder. The material is immediately applied under centrifugal force to the periphery of the container (1) in the form of a film or layer, which gradually moves towards the discharge end of the container, from whence it is withdrawn through the discharge conduit (17). Because of the rapid movement of the container the material will be sub-' jected to relative rapid movement over the surface of the container while in layer formation, and during this movement of the material the cleansing elements (19) which also move in various directions in contact with the treating surface of the container;

Wlll as previously described, maintain a continuous smooth surface for the material and free from any adhering particles thereof. The container being open at one or both ends conveniently centrally thereof, there is maintained an "unobstructed outlet for the escape of such vapors and gases as are e elements tend to break neaneae ta deliv red into the central quit zone formed by tli e circular layer of material within the container.

Because of the peculiar type of cleansing elements (19) it will be appreciated that the same are quite durable in use, at the same time should it be desired to remove or re place the same at will, this is readily possible because of the openings in the container, and this withoutdismembering any of the parts. since the cleansing means are Wholly unattached.

What ll claim is:

1. In an apparatus for evaporating milk and similar products, the combination of a substantially cylindrical container, means for introducin the material to be treated into contact with the peripheral surface of the container adjacent one end, means for permitting continuous discharge of the material from. the peripheral surface adjacent the opposite end of the container, means for applying to the Wall of the container a high degree of heat whereby to rapidly evaporate liquid constituents of the material, means for rapidly rotating the container at sufhcient speed to cause the material to move circumferentially in continuous layer formation from its introduction at one end to its discharge at theopposite end of the container, the said container having a relatively large opening for the free and continuous discharge of the rapidly accumulating vapors from the central space formed by said layer formation, and independent means movable unrestrainedly for engaging the treating surface of the container and freeing the same from adhering particles Without interrupting the movement of the material.

2. In an apparatus for treating liquid sub stances to change the condition thereof, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontally disposed container, said container having an inlet adjacent one end and an outlet adjacent the opposite end, for the material, means for causing a relative rapid movement between the inner surface of the container and the material whereby the materialis maintained in continuous circular layer formation in contact with the inner surface of the container, and cleansing means for the inner surface of the container movable circumferentially and endwise of the container. v

3. An apparatus for treating liquid substances to change the condition thereof, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontally disposed container having an inlet adjacent one end and an outlet adjacent opposite end, for the material, means for applying to the Wall of the container a temperature different from that of the material under treatment, means for imparting rapid relative movement between the inner surface of the wall of the container and the material at a suflicient speed to maintain a continuous circumferential continuously movable layer of the material as it progresses from the inlet to the outlet end of the container, and means simultaneousl moving over the inner surface of the container freely in difierent directions to maintain said surface in cleansed and polished condition.

t. In an apparatus for treating substances containing liquid, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontally disposed container, means for supplying steam heat to the exterior Wall of the container the inner surface of the cylindrical Wall of which constitutes a treating surface. means Whereby under centrifugal force the material is applied in circular layer formation in contact with the inner surface and whereby there is maintained a central zone Within the layer for the escaping vapors, one of the end Walls of the container having a large unrestricted opening for the rapid escape of vapors from said zone and a plurality of independent freely movable elements positioned in the container and. adapted to engage the surface thereof Without interruptmg the circular formation of the layer of material or the movement thereof.

5. In an apparatus for treating substances containing liquid to change the condition thereof, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontal surface, means for ap-' plying to said surface a high temperature, means for causing the material to assume a circular layer formation in contact with the curved surface and rapidly move thereover,

said container having in one of its end Walls a centrally disposed relatively large opening for the free and rapid escape of vapors and surface cleansing members positioned Within the container to freely move in various directions over and in contact with said curved surface.

6. In an apparatus for treating substances containin liquid to change the consistency thereof, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontal container having a large and substantially unrestricted out-let for the free escape of vapors or gases, means for causing the material to be applied under centrifugal force in circular layer formation in contact with the inner surface of the container thereby forming a central quiet zone for the vapors in communication With said outlet, and an unconnected memiber Within the container adapted to unrestrainedly move and engage the treating surface thereof to maintain the same in cleansed condition free from adhering particles.

7. In an apparatus for treating liquids to change the consistency thereof, the combi nation of a curved substantially horizontal cylindrical treating surface, an external heating means for said surface, means for causing the material to be applied in layer lit) Mill

formation on said surface and for imparting relative rapid movement between said layer of material and said surface, means for permitting the vapor to freely and rapidly escape through one end wall of the container, and cleansing means for said surface comprising substantiallyspherical elements adapted to contact with surface.

8. In an apparatus for evaporating liquid fromsubstances, the combination of a substantially cylindrical horizontal container, means for applying to the cylindrical wall of the container a high degree of temperature, said container having an inlet and an outlet for the material arranged respectively adjacent opposite ends of the container, and a large end opening for the free escape of vapors and gases, means for imparting to the container rotation at a speed exceeding two hundred revolutions a minute whereby the material will rapidly moye relative to said surface, and a plurality of elements loosely and unconnectedly positioned within the container whereby they are freely movable in different directions over said surface of the container, said elements having curved surfaces.

9. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a horizontal cylindrical container, means for imparting exteriorly to the peripheral wall of the container heat sufficient to rapidly evaporate liquid constituents of the material, means for int-rodueing the material into the container adjacent one end of the treating surface formed by the cylindrical wall, and said container having an outlet for the treating material adjacent the opposite end of said cylindrical wall, said container also having an end wall opening of sufiicient size for the free escape of vapors, means for rotating the container at a very high speed to cause the material as applied to the treating surface to assume a continuous cylindrical film or layer formation on said treating surface and movable over said surface, and bodily movable disconnected members disposed within the container and adapted of their own weight in the movement of the container to continuously contact with the surface menses whereby to maintain the surface free from adhering particles of the material.

10. In an apparatus for evaporating materials such as milk the combination of a horizontal cylindrical container, the "inner cylindrical surface thereof constituting a treating surface, means for applying heat to the wall of the container at a high temperature to rapidly evaporate liquid constituents of the material, means for introducing the material into the container and into contact with one end of the treating surface,-the container having a discharge outlet adjacent its opposite end for the treated material, means for imparting rotatable movement to the container at a sufiicient speed to cause the material to assume a circular layer formation on the treating surface with a central vapor zone, said container having a large vapor outlet in communication with the vapor zone and movable unconnected means within the container actin automatically to engage the treating sur ace to prevent the material from sticking to the surface and thereby becoming injured under the action of the heat. I

11. In an evaporating apparatus, the combination of a horizontally disposed cylindrical container having a large free outlet at one end for the escape of vapors,

means for feeding the material onto the inner cylindrical surface adjacent one end, means permitting the continuous discharge of the material adjacent the opposite end .of the container, means for supplying heat at substantially 300 F. to the container to rapidly evaporate liquid constituents of the material, means for imparting rotatable movement to the container at a speed above two hundred revolutions per minute, and a plurality of independent detached freely movable elements for engaging and maintaining the inner surface of" the cylindrical wall in a cleansed or polished condition.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the resence of two witnesses.

HSVVARD S. MELLOT'I. Witnesses:

H. THANE BAUMAN, IRENE ACKLAND. 

